Method and machine for making paper cups



529i-, 24, 1940. 1 M. HARVEYI 2,215,698

METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING PAPER CUPS Original Filed Au. 21. 1937 13 Sheets-Sheet l SWL 24, 1940- M. HARVEY 2,215,698

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METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING PAPER CUPS Original Filed Aug. 21. 1925"!` 13 Sheets-Sheet 12 Sept. 24, 1940. L. M. HARVEY 2,215,698

HTHOD AND MACHINE FOR MAKING PAYER CUPS original Filed Aug. 21. 193': 15 sheets-sheet 1s lf@ MMPI/fr Patented sept. 24, 1940 4PATENT OFFICE 4METHOD AND MACHINE FR MAKING PAPER CUPS Leo M. Harvey, La Canada, Calif.

. Application August 21, 1937, serial No. 160,303

Renewed March 11, 1940 23 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and device for making containers or vessels and relates more particularly to a method and machine for making drinking cups of paper `or similar material. An object of this invention is to provide a rapid, prac- 'tical and eicient method and an improved and compact ,machine for making paper cups.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method for making paper cups in which-the cup blank is translated or moved on a single axis without rotation throughout the entire series of operations and until the completed cup formed therefrom is delivered to the delivery outlet.

Another object of this invention is to provide a method of the character mentioned for making paper cups in which the cup blank-is' securely held against turning and displacement throughout the entire series of shaping, pleating and bead forming operations. A

Another object of this invention is to provide'a method of the character mentioned thatv requires a minimum of space for its performance.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel and particularly effective method for formlng an edge bead on a paper cup that assures the formation of the bead without wrinkling or distortion of the body of the cup.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine for making paper cups that is small and compact and yet capable of producing perfect cups at a high rate.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine of .theA characterv mentioned that embodies a cup blank locating means, a blank holdlng means, a' blank shaping means, a blank pleating` means and a bead forming means related and paper cup forming machine embodying a rapid and effective mechanism for producing a regular smooth bead on the upper edge of the cup.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine of the character mentioned that embodies novel and particularly effective means for shaping and uting the cup blank preparatory to the pleating operation.

AnotherV object of this invention is to provide a cup forming machine of the character mentioned in which the pleat forming dies produce a shoulder on the cup that is gripped or engaged to positively prevent distortion and movement of the cup during the curling or forming of the bead.

A further object of this invention is to provide a machine of the character mentioned embodying an ejector that engages the completed cup during the return movement of one of the pleat forming dies to receive the cup therefrom and then deliver it to the outlet, this operation being completed Without the possibility of distorting or injuring the cup. v

The various objects and features of my invention will be f ully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form of apparatus and a typical manner of carrying out the method of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view of the machine provided by this invention showing the principal parts of the mechanism in front elevation, being a view taken as indicated by line I-I on Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a central vertical detailed sectional View taken as indicated by line 2-2 on .Fig..l. Fig. 3 is a vertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 3-3 on Fig. 2 showing the principal parts in rear elevation. Fig. 4 is a horizontal detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 4 4 on Fig.l 2. Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detaledsectional view taken as indicated by line 5--5 on Fig. 4. Fig. 5n is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially as indicated by line 55-5a on Fig. 5. Fig. 6 is a fragmentaryvertical detailed sectional view taken as indicated by line 6 6 on Fig. l, illustrating portions of the paper feeding means and the cup ejecting means. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal detailed sectional View taken as indicated by line 'l-l on Fig. 6 illustrating various positions of the stripper or ejector. Fig. 8 is a fragmentary vertical detailed sectional View illustrating the means for operating the upper pleat forming die being a view `taken on line 8--8 of Fig. 1. `Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view illustrating a part of the mechanism for operating the lower, bead forming die taken as indicated by line 9?-9 on Fig. l. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical detailed sectional View illustrating a portion of the mechanism for operating the lower flute forming die taken as indicated by line Ill- I0 on Fig. 1. Fig. 11 is a fragmentary vertical detailed sectional View of a portion of the mechanism for operating the upper bead forming die, taken 'as indicated by line II-ll on Fig. 1. Figs. 12 and 13 are enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional views of the bead forming dies and the adjacent parts illustrating the dies in dilerentpositions. Fig. 14 is a fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view of the paper feeding mechanism and adjacent parts taken as indicated by line Ill- I4 on Fig. 1. Fig. 15 is a fragmentary vertical detailed sectional View illustrating the intermittent movement means of the paper feeding mecha'- nism being a View taken as indicated byline |5-I 5 on Fig. 1. Fig. 16 is a fragmentary vertical detailed sectional view illustrating a portion of the lmechanism for guiding the cup blanks being a view taken as indicated by line I6-I6 on Fig. 2. Fig. 17 is afragmentary vertical detailed sectional view illustrating the paper cutting means being a view taken as indicated by line I'I--I'I on Fig. 2. Fig. 18 is a fragmentary Vertical detailed sectional view illustrating part of the paper cutting means being a View taken as indicated by line I8-I8 on Fig. 1. Fig. 19 is a fragmentary Vertical detailed sectional View illustrating part of the means for centering the cup blank being a View taken as indicated by line I9-I 9 on Fig. 1. Fig. 20 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical detailed sectional View illustrating the feed rollers and the means for guiding the cup blank being a View taken as indicated by line 20--20 on Fig. 1. Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 are partially diagrammatic views to better illustrate the mechanisms shown in these..flgures. Figs. 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 27 are reduced diagrammatic views illustrating certain of the steps or operations performed by the machine and embodied in the method. Fig. 28 is'a fragmentary elevation of a portion of the cup blank strip. Fig. 29 is an enlarged side elevation of the cup blank after being scored by the ute forming dies. Fig. 30 is a bottom view of the blank shown in Fig. 29. Fig. 31 is a side elevation of a cup after the formation of the pleats and Fig. 32 is a side elevation of the upper portion of a completed cup.

It is believed that the method of this invention will be better understood following a description of the machine. Accordingly, I will proceed with a detailed description of a typical embodiment of the machine provided by the invention and willl follow such description with a disclosure of the method as carried out with the machine. It is to be understood that the invention is not to be construed as limited or restricted tothe specific details about to be described, but is to be taken as including any features or modifications that may fall within the scope of the claims.

'Ihe improved cup making machine of this invention includes, generally, a body or housing IIJ, a pair of relatively movable shaping or flute forming dies A and B in the housing I0, means I I for feeding a cup blank X between the dies A and B, means I2 for accurately centering or lo- Y eating the cup blank X between the dies A and B, means I3 gripping the blank X and for moving the blank along an axis coincident with the axis .of the dies A and B, means I4 for effecting relative movement between the dies A and B to score the blank X and make utes M therein, cup forming dies C and D in the housing Ill, means 5 for effecting relative movement between the dies C and D whereby the dies convert the iiutes M into pleats O and finally shape the cup blank X into a cup Y, bead forming dies E and F, means I6 and I Iia for effecting movement of the bead forming dies E and F, respectively, to form a bead Z upon the cup Y, means I'I for stripping or removing the cup Y from the die C and for discharging the finished cup Y from the machine, and various other parts and mechanisms the functions and details of which will be hereinafter described.

The body or housing I0 is provided to carry and contain the various parts' and mechanisms of the machine. The housing I0 may be varied considerably in shape and construction without departing from the invention. In the embodiment of the invention disclosed in the drawings the housing II! is a substantially rectangular hollow structure including sides I8, a front I9, a back 20, a top 2| and a bottom 22. The sides, front, back, top and bottom of the housing I0 are preferably comparatively heavy or thick t0 carry certain parts of the mechanism, as will be subsequently described. Two spaced centering and guiding posts 23 extend vertically through the interior of the housing IIJ. The opposite ends of the posts 23 may be suitably secured to the top 2| and the bottom 22. Bearing plates 24 are secured to the housing sides I8 adjacent their lower ends to carry certain -rotating elements or shafts of the machine. Spaced substantially vertical plates 25 project upwardly from thehousing bottom 22. The plates 25 are parallel with the housing sides I8 and have rearwardly projecting arms 26 engaging on the bottom 22.

The form of the machine illustrated in the drawings is adapted to receive the cup blanks X. from a roll R of joined disc-shaped blanks II which constitute a strip as illustrated in Fig. 28 of the drawings. The housing IIJ is constructed and shaped to contain the roll R of the cup blank strip. In the particular case illustrated an opening 21 is provided in the upper portion of the case front I9 and a door 28 is hinged to the front I9 to close the opening 21. The door 28 is shaped to partially receive the roll R, being rounded outwardly to have a concave inner side or socket for receiving a part ofthe roll. A supporting bracket 29 is mounted in the upper portion of the housing I0. The bracket 29 is'substantially U-shaped when viewed from above and has one of its forks secured to a side I8 of the housing. A horizontally projecting arm 30 is provided on the other fork of the bracket -29 and extends through the housing II) to have its outer end secured to the other housing side I8.

The dies A and B are provided to initially shape the cup blank X and to score the blank X to define the utes M in the wall of the partially shaped cup blank. The dies A and B are'relatively movable and non-rotatable. In the preferred structure illustrated in the drawings the die A is xed or stationary and the die B is movaable with respect to the die A. The die A is arranged in the upper portion of the housing I0 and includes or is provided with a head 3|. 'I'he head 3| is substantially rectangular in plan elevation and is horizontally arranged in the housing I0. The head 3| has flanges 32 secured to the sides I8 and the back 20 of the housing. Openings 33 are provided in the'head 3| to receive the posts 23. Screws 34 may connect the head 3| with the posts 23.

The die A proper may be integral with its head 3| and projects downwardly from the under side of the head. The die A is circula or annular in cross section surrounding a vertical opening 35 which continues upwardly through the head 3|. The upper portion of the die A which joins with the supporting 'head 3| may have a cylindrical exterior. The major lower portion of the die A is frusto-conical being of downwardly diminishing diameter. The frusto-conical die A is ribbed or grooved toassist in the formation of the flutes in the cup blank X. Figs. 2 and 3 best illustrate the details of the die A. In accordance with the invention a multiplicity of axial or longitudinal grooves 36 is provided in the die A. The grooves walls 38 and fiat parallel side walls.

36 extend between the upper and lower ends of the tapered or conical portion of the Adie A andV are equally spaced apart to leave axially extending ribs 31. The grooves 36 are identical and are rectangular in cross section having flat inner The inner walls 38 of the grooves 36 are pitched at a greater angle than the outer surfaces of the ribs 31 so that the grooves 36 are of downwardly diminishing depth. From the above it will be apparent that the ribs 31 occurring between the grooves 36 are substantially rectangular in transverse cross section with parallel sides and that the ribs 31 are of downwardly diminishing width and thickness. In practice vthe grooves 36 have a greater width than the ribs 31. 'I'he grooves 36 and the ribs 31 extend downwardly to the'lower end of the die A, the lower ends of the grooves 36 joining the opening 35.

It is -preferred to provide scoring plates" 39 on the outer surfaces of the ribs 31. The plates 39 preferably completely cover the outer surfaces of the ribs 31` and protrude beyond the sides of the ribs to partially overlie thegrooves 36. The plates 39 are tapered, that is, they are of downwardly diminishing width. The upper ends of the plates 39 may be of the same width as the upper ends of the yribs 31 and the lower ends of the plates 39 are considerably wider than the` The The die Bis shiftable or movable vertically rel ative to the die A and is complementary to the die A to coact therewith in initially forming or shaping the cu-p blank X. The movable blank shaping and flute forming die B is provided at its upper end with a head flange 4I. The flange 4il is substantially horizontal and projects laterally or radially at the upper end of the die B. In the preferred construction the die B is guided for vertical movement by the rods 23. Bosses 42 are provided on the under side of the iiange 4l and. have openings 43 of substantial length slidably receiving the posts 23 so that the posts are effective in guiding the die B for vertical movement. The die B is an inverted frusta-conical member having a conical upwardly facing interior or socket. An opening 44 extends centrally through the bottom of the die B. 'I'he die B. and its opening 44 are concentric to the central vertical axis of .the die A. The socket or interior of the die B is adapted to receive the die A and its walls are fluted or formed to mate with the fluted sides of the die A, as best illustrated in Figs. 2 and 10 of the drawings.

A plurality of longitudinally extending grooves 45 is provided in the interior or inner side of the die B. The grooves 45 are equally circuinferen tially spaced and are identical in size and shape. The grooves 45 aare substantially rectangular in transverse cross section having substantially parallel side walls and flat inclined bottom walls 46. The grooves 45 extend between the upper and lower ends of the die B and their lower ends are in communication with the opening 44. The circumferentially spaced grooves 45 leave or dene longitudinally .extending ribs 41 on the interior of the die B. Because of the shape and relationship of the grooves 45 the ribs 41 have downwardly convergent sides and are identical in size and shape. In practice the ribs 41 may be relatively narrow at their lower ends. The bottom walls 46 of the grooves 45 are pitched at a greater angle to the vertical than the faces or crests of the ribs 41.. The pitch of the bottom walls 46 of the grooves 45 is substantially the same as the pitch' of the plates 39 of the die A and the pitch of the crests of the ribs 41 is substantially the sameV as the pitch of the inner walls 38 of the grooves' 36 in the die A.

Scoring plates 48 are preferably provided on the faces or crests of the ribs 41. The plates 48 lie flat on the ribs 41 and may be secured to the ribs by screws 49 or the like. The plates 48 have straight side edges and end edges and their side edges are preferably downwardly convergent. The upper ends of the plates 48 may be of substantially the same width as the upper portions of the ribs 41 While the lower ends of the plates 48 are of greater width than the lower portions of the ribs. Because of this relationship the plates 48 have edge portions protruding from opposite sides of their respective ribs 41, the protruding portions being of downwardly increasing width. It will be obvious that these protruding edge portions of the plates 48 partially overlie the grooves 45.

It is preferred to incorporate means on the die B to assist in providing a more uniform and better distributed pressure` on the blank X and to eiect an initial forming or shaping of the flutes M in the blank X before the ribs and grooves of the dies A and B come into activemeshing cooperation. This means comprises spring fingers 58 secured to the die B at its upper end and projecting downwardly and inwardly into the die.

In practice there is one spring nger above each rib 41. The spring fingers 58 are preferably narrower than the platesI 48 to be received in the grooves 36 of the die A with substantial clearance. or initially inclined at a lesser angle to the horizontal than the plates 48 to have their lower ends spaced a substantial distance above the plates.

When the die B is moved upwardly into cooperation with or into adjacentfrelation to the die A the spring fingers 58 first come into engagement with the blank X which is heldby the means I3, as will be subsequently described, the fingers 58 being positioned to press circumferentially yspaced portions of the blank X into the groove 36 `of the die A. When the die B moves upwardly into cooperation with or adjacent relation to the die A the ribs 31 and 41 of the two dies mesh, that is, the ribs 41 and their plates 48V of the die B are received in the grooves 36 of' the die A and the ribs 31 and their plates 39 are received in the grooves 45 ofthe die B. The spring fingers 58 give the blank X its initial oonical shape and bend portions of the blank X into the grooves 36 of the die A to start the formation of the flutes M. The spring'ngers 58 have a wiping action on the blank X and prepare the blank for fluting by the cooperating grooves andl scoring plates 39 and 48. It will be apparent how the flutes M are formed in the blank X by the cooperating or `meshing dies A and B and how the spring lingers 58 assist in this operation. `"I'he further shaping or forming of the blank X by the dies A and B will be subsequently described.

The means Il for feeding the cup blank X between the dies A and B operates to deliver a blank X from a supply of such blanks and to The spring fingers 50 are normally` guide it between the dies A and B for accurate positioning by the means I2. In accordance with the broader aspects of the invention the cup blanks B may be supplied to the machine in varous forms and manners, for example, the blanks X may be supplied to the machine in the form of a stack of individual disc-shaped blanks or the blanks may be cut from a strip of paper or the like by elements of the machine as it is fed to the machine. 'Ihe invention contemplates the 'modification of the blank feeding means II to adapt it for handling blanks supplied in various manners. In the lform of the invention illustrated in the drawings the feed means II is operable to handle cup blanks X which are in the form of substantially complete discs joined at diametrically opposite portions to adjacent blanks X to form a ribbon or strip such as illustrated in Fig. 28. The blanks X of this ribbon or strip may be formed of paper or other material suitable for shaping into drinking cups. The strip of blanks X illustrated in Fig. 28 is rolled into the form of the supply roll R mentioned above. The supply roll R is preferably rolled or wound on a tubular spool 5' I. The forward edges of the housing sides I8 are provided with upwardly and forwardly inclined notches 52 which removably support a spindle 53. The spindle 53 extends through the spool 5I to rotatably support the supply roll R. 'I'he supply roll R is supported so that its forward portion is received in the concave interior of the door 28 and so that its rear portion is received in the housing I 0. A partition 54 may be provided in the housing I0 to extend downwardly to the rear of the roll R. The ribbon or strip of the cup blanks is trained downwardly and inwardly from the outer side of the supply roll R.

The feed means II includes two rollers 55 and 56 for advancing or feeding the paper cup blanks X inwardly between the dies A and B. The rollers 55 and 56 are mounted one above the other and the roller 55 is the driven roller while the roller 56 is an idler roller. The roller 55 is xed on a substantially horizontal shaft 51. One end of the shaft 51 is rotatably supported by the inner fork of the bracket 29 and the other end of' the shaft 51 is rotatably supported by a bracket 58 secured to the outer end of the arm 30 and the adjacent housing side I8. Longitudinally spaced circumferential grooves 58zal are provided in the roller 55 and the roller is preferably faced with rubber, or the like. A guide plate 59 is secured to the arm 30 and projects laterally toward the lower peripheral portion of the roller 55. Fingers 66 are provided on the guide plate 59 and extend into the grooves 58a. The fingers 60 are curved to conform to the bottoms of the grooves 58 and have suitable clearance in the grooves. The plate 59 and its fingers 60 are operable to guide the cup blank X inwardly and serve to prevent it from curling or rolling upwardly around the inner side of the roller 55. The strip of the blanks X is trained downwardly from the roll R to pass over the roller 55 land passes under the guide plate 59 to move through a slot 6I in the arm 30.

The roller 56 is tubular and is rotatably supported on a spindle 62. The intermediate portion of the roller 56 is enlarged in diameter to cooperate with the cup blank X and press it upwardly against the feed rolle'r 55. In accordance with.. the invention the roller 56 is shiftable into and out of cooperation with the blank X, that is, it is movable laterally with respect to the roller 55 to move into and out of active engagement with-the blank. Trunnions 63 of reduced diameter extend from the opposite ends of the roller spindle 62. The trunnions 63 are eccentric withl respect to the longitudinal axis of the tubular roller 56. One trunnion 63 is rotatably supported by the inner arm or forkof the bracket 29 and the other trunnion is rotatably supported by the bracket 58. It will be apparent that turning of the spindle 62 effects movement of the roller 56 into and out of active engagement with the blank X engaged by the roller 55. A guide plate 64 is secured to the arm 30 and extends horizontally over the roller 56. The plate 64 has an opening 65 throughl which the enlarged intermediate portion of the roller 56 may project to engage against the cup blank X passing under the roller 55. in spaced relation to the horizontal portion of the plate 59 and the blank X is adapted to move inwardly between the plates to pass through the slot 6I.

The feed means II includes a drive for intermittently turning the roller 55 and for shifting the roller 56 toward and away from the roller 55. The main drive shaft 66 of the machine enters one side I8 of the housing I0 and is rotatably supported by its plate 24. The main shaft 66 may be driven by any suitable power means or may be rotated by hand, as desired or found most practical. A horizontal shaft 61 extends through the housing I0 above the shaft 66 and has its opposite ends rotatably supported by the plates 24. The main intermediate portion of the shaft 61 may be polygonal. A gear 68 is fixed on the shaft 61 and meshes with a pinion 69 on the main shaft 66 so that the shaft 61 is driven by the shaft 66. An intermittent movement mechanism is interposed between the shaft 61 and the shaft 51 whereby the latter is intermittently turned by the former. Figs. 14 and 15 best illustrate the intermittent movement mechanism.

The intermittent movement mechanism of the means II includes a substantially horizontal shaft 1Il rotatably supported by the bracket 29 above the shaft 61. A gear 1I is xed on the shaft 10 and meshes with a pinion 12 fixed on the shaft 51 of the roller 55. An interrupted pinion or varied pinion 13 is fixed to the shaft 10. The pinion 13 has two diametrically opposite wide teeth 14 and a somewhat narrower tooth 15 at each side of each tooth 14. Sets or series of relatively narrow teeth 16 are provided on the pinion 13 on diametrically opposite portions and between the spaced teeth 15. The teeth 14 are offset outwardly or axially from the teeth 15 and 16. In practice the teeth 14 may be provided on a disc fixed to one side of the pinion 13.

Theintermittent movement mechanism further includes a disc 11 fixed on .the shaft 61. The disc 11 has a plain cylindrical periphery concentric with its axis of rotation. The periphery of the disc 11 is adapted to cooperate with opposing side or corner faces of the teeth 15 at opposite sides of a tooth 14 to hold the shaft 10 against rotation. A series of teeth 18 is provided or cut in the periphery of the disc 11 and is adapted to successively come into mesh with the sets of teeth 15 and 16 of the pinion 13. An arm 19 is fixed to one side of the disc 11 and its outer end is flush with the ends of the teeth 18. The forward side of the arm 19 relative to the direction of rotation of the disc 11 is adapted to cooperate with the side of a tooth 14 to advance or shift the pinion 13 to a point The plate 64 is where the adjacent tooth 15 meshes with the first tooth 1B. This initiates the meshing engagement of the teeth 18 with the teeth 16 and the remaining tooth 15 of the series. The cooperation of the teeth 18 with a series of teeth 15 and 16 effects turning of the pinion 13 and the shaft 10 for approximately one half of one revolution. When the teeth 18 move out of engagement with the set of teeth 15. and 16 of the pinion 13 the periphery of the disc 11 comes into cooperation with the bevelled off corners of a pair of teeth 15 and this engagement serves to hold the pinion 13 and the shaft 10 against turning throughout the major portion of the rotation of the disc 11 and until the arm 19 again comes into engagement with a tooth 14.

It is believed that it will be apparent how the intermittent movement mechanism just described operates to impart `approximately one half of a revolution to the shaft 10 for each revolution of the shaft 61. The ratio between the gear 1| and the pinion 12 is such that approxi' mlately one half of `a revolution of the shaft 10 effects sui'lcient rotation of the roller 55 to fully advance the cup blank X between the dies A and B.

The lower roller 56 is controlled to urge the blank X upwardly against the roller 55 during the feeding operation, that is, during rotation of the roller 55, and to momentarily move out ofactive cooperation with the blank X at the termination of the rotation of the roller 55 to permit the location of the blank X by the means l2. The mechanism for controlling the roller 56 is best illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings. This mechanism includes a fork or yoke 80 fixed to a concentric portion of the roller spindle 62 adjacent one end of the spindle. A stationary. or flxedshaft 8| extends through the housing it and has its opposite ends carried by the plates 2l. adapted to cooperate with the fork 80. In practice this lever may comprise two spaced lever arms 82 4connected at their outer ends by a pin 03. The pin 83 cooperates with the notch 84 in the fork 80. A second pin 85 extends between the lever arms 82 and a spring 86 is connected with the pin 85 to urge the arms 82 to a position where the roller 56 is urged upwardly against the blank X engaging on the roller 55 and this maintains the proper cooperation of the blank with `the roller 55. Itwill be understood how turning of the fork-B by the lever arms 82 will effect swinging of the tubular roller 56 about the axis of the eccentric trunnions 63.

Cam means is provided for shifting or swinging the lever arms 82 to momentarily move the roller 56 downwardly or away from the roller 55. A cam 0B is fixed between the spaced lever arms 82 and is provided with a single cam projection 89. A disc cam 90 is fixed on the shaft 61 and has a single cam projection 9| on its periphery for cooperating with the cam projection 89. Once during Aeach revolution of the disc cam 90 the projection 9| cooperates with the projection 89 to swing the lever arms 82 in such a manner that the roller 56 is momentarily swung downwardly or away from the roller 55. This retraction of the roller 55 occurs immediately following a period of rotation of the roller 55 and therefore immediately following the inward feedl ing of the blank X between the dies A and B.

` It is preferred to provide a guide plate or ring 92 on the upper end of the die B to assist in guiding the blank X as it is fed inwardlyl and to pre- A lever is pivoted on the shaft 8| and is` vent undesirable upward curling of the edge of the blank. The ring 92 may be supported on the iiange 4| of the die B through spacers 93 carried on the pins 94. The ring 92 is spaced above the upper surface of the flange 4|. With the parts in their normal or initial positions the space between the ring 92 and the upper side of the flange 4| is directly aligned with the slot 6| to receive the blank X. This relationship is clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Centering or locating pins 9 may be provided on the flange 4| of the die B to be engaged by the leading edge of the blank X. `The pins 9 may assist in stopping and locating the blank X between the dies A and B.

The feed means preferably includes means for preventing upward curling of the .blank X as it passes inwardly between the dies A and IB. This' means includes a wire or rod 95 carried by the die A and best illustrated in Figs. 1, 3, 14 and 16 of the drawings. The head 3| of the die A has diametrically opposite lugs 96 and the end portions of the rod 95 are pivotally supported in openings in the lugs 9G. The rod 95 is shaped to swing or pass under the die A. The intermediate portion of the guide rod 95 is adapted to move downwardly intothe ring 92 under the die A to lie substantially horizontal and the rod 95 is mounted yso that its intermediate portion is substantially parallel with the direction of movement of the blank X when the blank is fed inwardly between the dies A and B. When the rod 95 is in the down position just described its intermediate portion is spaced above the plane of the flange 4| to allow for inward feeding of the blank X with suitable clearance but serves to prevent upward curling of the blank as it moves inwardly. One end portion of the guide rod 95 is shaped to constitute a crank 91 as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 16 of the drawings.

The means for operating the blank guiding rod 95 includes a lever 98 pivotally carried by a pin 99 on the flange 32. The lever 90 has a fork |00 cooperating with the crank 91 of the guide rod 95. A stationary shaft |0| is carried by the bracket 29 and supports a pivoted lever |02. A

vlink |03 is pivotally connected with the lever |02 and the lever 98 whereby the lever |02 is operable to turn the crank 91 and the guide rod 95. A spring |06 is connected with the link |03 to normally hold the guide rod 95 in its up or elevated position illustrated in full lines in Fig. 16 of the drawings. Cam means is provided to operate the lever |02 to effect swinging of the guide rod 95. This cam means includes a cam fixed on the shaft 10. In practice the pinion 13 may have a. hub and the cam |05 may be attached to the hub of the pinion 13. Two diametrically opposite notches |06 are provided in the periphery of the cam |05. The inner portions of the\notches |06 are in diametrical alignment with the teeth 14 of the pinion 13. The notches |06 have flaring side walls. A roller 01 is-carried by the lever |02 to cooperate with the notches |06.

With the parts in their normal or initial posi-l wardly and thus effect downward swinging of the guide rod 95. The guide rod 95 is swung downwardly'under the die A and remains in its down position where its intermediate portion is substantially horizontal so long as the roller |01 rides on the periphery of the cam |05. The parts are related and synchronized so that the guide rod 95 assumes its down or blank-guiding position upon the start of the inward movement of the blank X by the roller 55 and remains in this position until the blank X -reaches or approaches its fully introduced position. When the blank X approaches its innermost position between the dies A and B the roller |01 is received in a notch |06 and the spring |04 swings the lever 98 to move the guide rod 95 to its up or idle position. The notch |06 receives the roller |01 concurrently with the termination of a phase of-movement of the pinion 13.

The means I2 is operable to accurately locate or position the cup blank X between the dies A and B immediately following its introduction by the feed means I I and preparatory to its engagement by the gripping means I3. The centering or locating means I2 includes two p'airs of positioning elements |08. The elements |03 are in the form of bell cranks or levers having angularly projecting upper arms |08, as best illustrated in Fig. 1.. The elements |08 may be pivotallyV supported on the plates 25. The upper portions of the plates 25 are relatively narrow and a pair of elements |08 is supported on the upper narrow portion of each plate. In the particular construction illustrated lugs |09 project from the opposite sides of the plates 25 adjacent their upper ends and extend through openings I0 in the elements |08 to support the elements for pivotal movement. The four positioning elements |08 are preferably connected to move or pivot in synchronism. A pin III is carried by one pair of elements |00 and operates in slots ||2 in the other pair of elements. The upper arm` |08*ab oi. one element |08 of each pair of elements normally projects upwardly and outwardly at the outer face oi the arm 30 and the upper arms |08a of the other elements |08 project upwardly and outwardly at the inner side of the arm 30 in spaced relation to the arm 30. When the elements |08 are in their normal or idle positions the upper ends of their upper arms |08a are below the plane of the slot 6 The blank centering or positioning means I2 includes a cam mechanism. illustrated in Figs. 1 and 19, for pivoting the elements 08 to bring their upper arms |08a intoengagement with the notches occurring between the innermost blank X and the second to the innermost blank which notches are best illustrated in Fig. 28 of the drawings. The cam mechanism for operating the elements |08 includes a cam I|3 fixed on a horizontal shaft |I4. The shaft |I4 serves as a driving element for certain of the other mechanisms of the machine as will be subsequently described. The shaft I I4 is spaced below the shaft 61 and its end portions are rotatably supported by the housing plates 24. The cam shaft ||4 may be polygonal in cross section, as illustrated. The shaft ||4 is driven or rotated by the main shaft 66. A gear ||5 is xed on the shaft ||4 and meshes with the pinion 69 on the shaft 66. The cam ||3 has a plain concentric periphery provided with a single notch IIG. A forked or double lever III is pivoted on the shaft 0| and carries a roller |I8 which rides on the periphery of the cam II3. A pin, I9 rotatably supports the roller ||8 and connects the outer portions of the two arms or members comprising the lever III. A link |20 operatively connects the lever I I'I with the blank positioning elements |08. The lower end of the link |20 may be yoked and pivoted on the pin ||9 of the lever II. Laterally projecting ngers |2| are provided on the upper end of the link |20 and are pivotally received in openings I22 in one pair of elements |08. A spring |23 is connected between the lower arm |08b of one element |08 and the shaft 0| or anyother suitable part to normally hold the roller I I8 down against the cam ||3. The elements |08 are normally in retracted positions where their upper arms |08a are below the plane of the slot 6| and are clear of the blank X.

At the moment that the roller 56 swings downwardly away from the roller 55 the roller IIB is received` in the notch ||6 of the cam ||3 and the spring |23 pivots the elements I 08 so that their upper arms I 08a move upwardly and inwardly to engage in the notches between the end blank X and the second to the end blank. In practice the roller 55 will have fed the end blank X inwardly a distance slightly in excess of the necessary inward movement and this excess movement will have caused 'the said blank to bend or bow upwardly between its opposite side edges. Two of the element arms |08EL engage the periphery of the second to the endmost blank X to draw the end blank X outwardly and thus remove this bend or bow from the blank X located between the dies A and B. The other two element arms |08a cooperate with the periphery of the end blank X to limit this outward shifting of the end blank X. The four element arms |08al engage in the two notches of the joined blanks X to contact the two endmost blanks X at four spaced points, as best illustrated in Fig. 28 of the drawings, and this four point engagement effectively centralizes the end cup blank X with respect to the dies A and B. 'Ihe engagement of the centering element arms |08a with the two end blanks X is only momentary for when the notch IIS moves past the roller ||8 the link |20 is shifted to swing the arms |08 out of engagement with the blanks X. The arms |08 remain in their retracted positions until the succeeding operation.

The means I3 for gripping the blank X located and centered between the dies A and B is an lmportant element of the machine as it serves to hold the blank X against undesired movement during the flute forming and pleat forming operations and shifts or moves the blank X along the common axis of the dies A, B, C, D, E and F during certain phases o1 these operations. 'I'he blank gripping and moving means I3 operates to engage or grip the blank X at its central portion or zone.` The means I3 includes what I will term a punch or plunger |24 for engaging upwardly against the under side of the blank X located between the dies A and B in the manner described above. The plunger |24 is a disc-shaped member having a horizontal upper face provided with a central boss |25. The boss |25 has a at horizontal. upper face. A vertical stem |26 carries the plunger |24 and extends downwardly from the lower side of the plunger. The plunger |24 and its stem |26 have their vertical axis coincident with the common axis of the dies A,

B, C, D, E and F. With the parts in their normal or idle positions the plunger` |24 is spaced below the lower end of the flute forming die B as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawings.

'Ihe mechanism -for operating or moving the punch or plunger I24'includes two spaced levers |21. The levers |21 are identical or complementary and are pivotally supported on a. horizontal shaft |28 supported by the Plates 25. The

V levers.

outer ends of the levers |21 are in relatively close relation and the stern |26 has a flattened portion |20a received between the outer portions of the A pin |23 on the stem portion |26a operates in slots |30 in the outer portions of the levers |21 to pivotally connect the plunger stern |26 with the levers |21. Cam means is provided for shifting or pivoting the levers |21 to move the plunger vertically. A pin |3| projects from each' lever |21 and carries a roller |32. Cams |33 are xed to the cam shaft ||4 to cooperate with the rollers |32. The cams |33 are identical and of the saine setting. The cams |33 are contoured or shaped to effect or allow a particular series of movements of the plunger |24. Each cam |33 has a major surface portion |34 having a substantial radius of curvature and curved concentrically about the axis of the shaft ||4 and an abrupt shoulder |35 at the trailing end of the portion |34. The cams |33 have inner surface portions |36 concentric with their axes and of a small radius of curvature and connected with the advancing ends of the portions |34 by rounded or gradual shoulders |31. With the parts in their initial or normal positions the rollers |3| engage the surface portions|34 adjacent the shoulders |35 and this engagement holds the plunger |24 at or below the lower end of the die B. Spring means are provided to hold the rollers |32 in cooperation with the cams |33 and to urge the plunger |24 upwardly. In the particular construction illustrated in the drawings each lever |21 has a lug |31 and springs |39 are connected with the lugs |38. The springs |39 may be connected with relatively stationary parts, for example they may be secured to clips |40 on the portions 26 of the plates 25. The springs |39 exert a turning force on the levers |21 tending to move the plunger |24 upwardly and urging the rollers |32 toward the cams |33.

The means I3 for gripping the cup blank X further includes a part or element for engaging the upper face of the central portion of the blank X so that the blank is gripped at its center. In the preferred construction this gripping element is the lower end or face |4| of the upper pleat completing or forming die C'. This gripping face |4| is substantially horizontal and is flat. The gripping face 14|l is annular and its internal diameter is slightly greater than the external diameter of the boss |25 of the plunger |24.

'The machine includes a mechanism for shifting the die C to maintain the gripping face |4| in cooperation with the blank X and for moving the blank X downwardly while gripped between the face |4| and the plunger |24. This mechanism may include a cross head |42 in the upper portion of the housing The cross head |42 is shiftable vertically and is guided by the posts 23. The cross head |42 may have vertical openings |43 slidably receiving the posts 23, whereby the posts slidably guide the cross head. 'I'he cross head |42 extends at substantially right angles to the common axis of the dies A, B, C, D, E and F and the die C is connected. with `the cross head |42 to be movable therewith. A stem |44projects from the upper end of the die C and has a central longitudinal opening |45. A bolt |46 extends through the opening |45 and passes through an opening |41 in the cross head |42. A nuty |48 is threaded on the bolt |46 and engages against the cross head |42 to clamp the site ends and each lug `|49 has a vertical opening |50. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 8, links |5| are received in the openings |50 and are pivotally connected to the cross head 42 by pivot pins |52 extending transversely through the openings. The links extend downwardly to adjacent the shaft 0|. Forked levers or double levers |53 are pivotally supported on the shaft 8| at longitudinally spaced points and pins |54 pivotally connect the outer ends of the levers 53 with the links |5|. Each lever |53 carries a rotatable roller |55. i

A pair of cams |56 and |51 is provided to cooperate with each lever roller |55 to effect positive downward movement of theV die C and positive upward movement of the die C. Fig. 8 of the drawings illustrates one set of these cams. 'I'he cams |56 and |51 remain in cooperation with vtheir respective rollers |55 at all `times and are shaped to operate -jointly in the transmission or movement of the die C. The cams'l56 and |51, the levers 53, the cross head |42 and the associated parts constitute elements of the means for shifting the die C to complete or form the pleats O in the cup blank X. At present we' 4.to grip the paper blank X immediately following the centering of the blank between the dies A and B and simultaneously with the return of the roller 56 into gripping cooperation with the second to the end blank X so that the blank between the dies A and B and the said second to the endv blank are both gripped or held. Immediately following the operation of the locating or positioning elements |08 as described above, and while the elements |08 remain in cooperation with the blanks X, the shoulders |35 move past the rollers |32 allowing the springs |30 to move the plunger |24 upwardly. At this time the rollers |55 are engaged by concentric portions |58 of the cams |56 and concentric surface portions |53 of t'he cams |51 and the die C remains stationary. The plunger |24 is moved upwardly by the springs |39 until it bears upwardly against the lower side of the blank X and presses the blank against the gripping face |4|, the gripping X throughout the operation of the dies A and B` in forming the flutes M in the blank and throughout the entire pleat forming and b ead forming operations. The die C presenting the gripping face |4| is shiftable along the axis of `the dies A, B, C, D, E and F during certain phases of the operation of the machine, the cams |56 and |51 being shaped to effect these various movements of the die C as will be subsequently described.

In the case where the cup blanks X are supplied to the machine in a ribbon -or strip, as illustrated in Fig. 28 of the drawings, the ma.- chine embodies means for cutting the end blank X free from the strip after said blank `has been 

